Stay tuned to 'I Heart' for all the happenings of the new year (& decade) in E-town...the fests, the Ex, the Indy, the concerts, the nightlife, the Oilers, and all the rest that makes this city great! Play safe tonight Edmonton. Cheers!
e
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year's Edmonton!
'I Heart' hopes Edmonton outdoes herself for 2010!
Stay tuned to 'I Heart' for all the happenings of the new year (& decade) in E-town...the fests, the Ex, the Indy, the concerts, the nightlife, the Oilers, and all the rest that makes this city great! Play safe tonight Edmonton. Cheers!
e
Stay tuned to 'I Heart' for all the happenings of the new year (& decade) in E-town...the fests, the Ex, the Indy, the concerts, the nightlife, the Oilers, and all the rest that makes this city great! Play safe tonight Edmonton. Cheers!
e
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A Few Minutes with...Michele McDougall
Citytv meteorologist & Edmonton advocate Michele McDougall takes part in our brief Q&A about our favourite city
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
THERE aren't many media outlets that allow for such candid moments as those of Michele McDougall and her co-workers than on Citytv's 4-hour (6-10AM) morning show Breakfast Television. I'm sure I can speak on behalf of the spirited program's loyal audience, and say that we wouldn't want it any other way!
Weather specialist and BT co-host McDougall, known for her devoted positive disposition and passion for her craft, hails from Brandon, Manitoba, where she realized her knack for camping, fishing, hiking and all things "green." It was also where she pioneered her current meteorological route, studying journalism and broadcasting before joining Citytv in 2000.
"My favourite part of working for Citytv is reporting the weather," said McDougall. "It fascinates me, and as we know around here, is always changing, keeping forecasters on their toes."
McDougall joined the Breakfast Television crew in September 2006, and continues there as its weather specialist. She also hosts the brief segment "Fresh Air Photo of the Day" (at about 7:10AM each Monday-Friday), which is how my association with Ms. McDougall began.
I Heart would like to thank Michele for taking time out of her busy schedule and answering some questions for us. If you'd like to check out Michele's blog click here, or visit BT's official website here. Now, on with the Q&A...
1. What is one thing about Edmonton that you think stands out from other Canadian cities? Our most fabulous, beautiful, and breathtaking river valley.
2. Do you have a favourite place to visit in Edmonton? Our most fabulous, beautiful, and breathtaking river valley :)!! Any of the bike trails do the trick for me.
3. If there was one thing you could do to improve our city, what would it be? Reward neighbourhoods for cutting down on graffiti, litter, and crime. The reward would be a family-friendly neighbourhood street party...not to mention pride of ownership.
4. Whyte Ave. or Jasper Ave.? Jasper Avenue all the way! Some of Edmonton's oldest hertitage buildings stand proudly on Jasper Avenue, including Hudson's Bay and Hotel Mcdonald.
5. What radio station(s) do you listen to the most? I love radio--everything from talk to rock. But I am a dial junkie, and can go from Sonic to The Bounce to CHED, and not miss a beat.
6. If you could sum up the city of Edmonton in three words or less, what would they be? Great community spirit.
Thanks Michele!
e
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
THERE aren't many media outlets that allow for such candid moments as those of Michele McDougall and her co-workers than on Citytv's 4-hour (6-10AM) morning show Breakfast Television. I'm sure I can speak on behalf of the spirited program's loyal audience, and say that we wouldn't want it any other way!
Weather specialist and BT co-host McDougall, known for her devoted positive disposition and passion for her craft, hails from Brandon, Manitoba, where she realized her knack for camping, fishing, hiking and all things "green." It was also where she pioneered her current meteorological route, studying journalism and broadcasting before joining Citytv in 2000."My favourite part of working for Citytv is reporting the weather," said McDougall. "It fascinates me, and as we know around here, is always changing, keeping forecasters on their toes."
McDougall joined the Breakfast Television crew in September 2006, and continues there as its weather specialist. She also hosts the brief segment "Fresh Air Photo of the Day" (at about 7:10AM each Monday-Friday), which is how my association with Ms. McDougall began.
I Heart would like to thank Michele for taking time out of her busy schedule and answering some questions for us. If you'd like to check out Michele's blog click here, or visit BT's official website here. Now, on with the Q&A...
1. What is one thing about Edmonton that you think stands out from other Canadian cities? Our most fabulous, beautiful, and breathtaking river valley.
2. Do you have a favourite place to visit in Edmonton? Our most fabulous, beautiful, and breathtaking river valley :)!! Any of the bike trails do the trick for me.
3. If there was one thing you could do to improve our city, what would it be? Reward neighbourhoods for cutting down on graffiti, litter, and crime. The reward would be a family-friendly neighbourhood street party...not to mention pride of ownership.
4. Whyte Ave. or Jasper Ave.? Jasper Avenue all the way! Some of Edmonton's oldest hertitage buildings stand proudly on Jasper Avenue, including Hudson's Bay and Hotel Mcdonald.
5. What radio station(s) do you listen to the most? I love radio--everything from talk to rock. But I am a dial junkie, and can go from Sonic to The Bounce to CHED, and not miss a beat.
6. If you could sum up the city of Edmonton in three words or less, what would they be? Great community spirit.
Thanks Michele!
e
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Edmonton In '09: A Recap, Pt. III
So much has happened over the last 12 months, and 'I Heart' is here to revisit the best (& worst) moments...
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
IT'S been another exceptional year for the city of Edmonton, despite some unseasonably cold & record-breaking temperatures, an Oilers losing streak (or two), and that recession that everybody's been talking about.
But, as is our intention, I Heart Edmonton is gonna try and stick to the good that has graced our growing metropolis...more or less.
So, before I ramble on any further, let's recap some of my favourite moments or memorable experiences in my hometown during 2009! (Part 3 of 3):
Edmonton Is North America's #1 Spot...Twice In One Week!
On Sunday, December 13th Edmonton was the coldest place on the continent (-46.1/-58.4 with windchill), and only second to Siberia (-48) worldwide. The low was recorded at the International Airport, but still falls short of the city's all-time record of -48.3/-61 (with windchill), on January 26, 1972. Just three days later, on December 16th, Edmonton was presented with the Sociable City Award for being the "most sociable city in North America"! According to the RHI (Responsible Hospitality Institute), our city raised the bar in '09 when it came to a vibrant & safe nightlife, revitalization, economic development, multi-cultural activities, innovative marketing campaigns, public space entertainment, and more. Not really news to I Heart though!
Reno of the Year
Just in time for the Christmas season, Kingsway Mall (now "Garden"-less) unveiled the sum of a 2-year, $70 million redevelopment on November 13th. The 33-year-old shopping centre, the city's second largest, brightened up its interior, designed a more spacious & welcoming main entrance, and updated bathrooms, lounge areas and its food court, all in an effort to bring more traffic to its more than 200 stores and shops.
Runner-Up: Like Kingsway, Southgate Centre went through a necessary renovation, but unlike Kingsway, it also expanded its square footage before revealing its new look on August 5th. The mall also worked to accomodate a brand new LRT station adjacent from the expansion.
From Pipe Dream to Prospect
When Edmonton-based billionaire Daryl Katz came out of nowhere and offered $200 million to purchase the Edmonton Oilers in January 2008, there were plenty of locals who were weary or concerned, some even downright pissed off! But along with the hefty deal came an intriguing proposal...to build a $450 million arena...scratch that...entertainment complex in Edmonton! Katz even promised to put $100 million of his own cash towards the project, which crept closer to reality during '09. In fact, there was even a proposed location for the esteemed structure, where the Baccarat Casino currently resides (near the downtown Grant MacEwan campus). But the majority of Edmontonians were against spending city tax money on the arena, as much as 76% in August. If the project does eventually get the green light, Edmonton's downtown will see a grand rejuvenation that may par it up with other major Canadian cities.
From Prospect to Reality
In 2005 the Edmonton Art Gallery placed a call for architects from around the world to come up with a brand new look for its dreary downtown building. L.A.-based Randall Stout answered that call and won the contract to give the renamed Art Gallery of Alberta an $88 million overhaul. 2009 saw the 5-year project finally come into its own, setting itself apart from anything this town has ever seen. The venturesome design pulled from local characteristics to inspire its final draft, one that has garnered more than its share of negative feedback. But, despite the naysayers, Edmonton's new AGA will hopefully be a prototype for a revolution in regional architecture when it finally opens its doors on January 31, 2010. See you there?!
Committee of the Year
Homelessness. It's a problem that has increased a whopping 125% since 2000, and which affects an estimated 3,000 Edmontonians. That's why a committed team of locals, including mayor Stephen Mandel, formed the Edmonton Committee to End Homelessness. In January they launched an ambitious strategy called "A Place to Call Home: Edmonton's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness," which will, in theory, bring that 3,000 number down to zero by 2018!
Strangest Place to Eat a Burger
Hands down, it's gotta be The Motoraunt! Sitting on the corner of 124th Ave. & 66th St. is this cross between a restaurant and a purple double-decker bus that most just call the "bus cafe." The exterior is far from anything you'll see in Edmonton, with an interior to match...oh, and a bathroom about as big as one of my dresser drawers. And then there's those giant burgers! Their 2-1/2-pound Monster Burgers are literally the size of a dinner plate (an 11" circumference)! The Alberta beef patties are served on a freshly-baked French loaf with a side of "motor chips," themselves sprinkled in salt & vinegar, and all for under $20. Finish two Monster Burgers in less than 20 minutes and your third is free (at another sitting, of course).
Favourite Wine Spot
I like simplicity when it comes to my alcohol, so Passa Tempo (pictured left) (9914-89th Ave./ 780-437-5588) easily takes the crown here. This intimate watering hole is about the width and length of a city bus and specializes in vino and the foods that compliment it. It's the perfect spot to sip on some reasonably-priced wine & listen to some Mos Def on a crisp summer night.
Local Band Hits Big Time
Well, kinda! Edmonton-based pop band Stereos (formerly known as Stand By Me and then Turn It Up) were discovered after appearing on MuchMusic's 2008 TV show disBAND, which led to two name changes and a record deal with Universal Music Canada. On June 4, 2009 the generic "rockers" premiered their debut video "Summer Girl" (see video below) on the MuchMusic Countdown. The song went all the way to #2 on the Canadian pop charts, followed up with another hit in "Throw Ya Hands Up" (#3), both from their self-titled debut album (#3) that was produced by Juno winner Gavin Brown (Billy Talent, Three Days Grace). On November 7th Steroes, fronted by Pat Kordyback, kicked off their first cross-Canada tour in Windsor, Ontario, making their way to play Edmonton on December 3rd (with The Midway State). They return to Edmonton on March 29th at the Shaw Conference Centre.
Favourite Morning News
With a perky crew that includes Ryan Jespersen, Michele McDougall, Bridget Ryan and Asha Tomlinson, how could you not watch Citytv's Breakfast Television before heading off to hell...I mean work?! For four hours each morning (Monday-Friday) this team shines a light on the people, the places and the events that make our city special.
The 'Lucy the Elephant' Fiasco
Following months of pleading with the city's Valley Zoo to have ailing Asian elephant Lucy placed in a San Andreas, California sanctuary, retired The Price Is Right host Bob Barker visited Edmonton on September 17th. The former game show host is well-known as an animal rights advocate, and first started lobbying for 34-year-old Lucy's move to the 12-hectare enclosure back in the winter of '08, but Valley Zoo staff continued defending their decision to keep Lucy put, and that a transfer may kill her.
"To move her at the [limit] of her respiratory capacity, her ability to breathe...is tantamount to signing a certificate of her death," claimed zoo veterinarian Dr. Milton Ness. Shortly before Barker's visit, TV actor William Shatner (Star Trek) sent a letter to mayor Stephen Mandel, asking to "allow Lucy to retire to better circumstances than at the Edmonton zoo." In the end, Lucy remained in Edmonton, and there are no current plans on moving her to another facility. Lucy has been at the Valley Zoo for 32 years now.
The Goodbyes of '09
At only 62-years-old, influential local arts advocate Tim Ryan died on November 5th, due to congestive heart failure, complicated by the H1N1 virus. Ryan was a vital part of Edmonton's live theatre community, establishing the 30-year-old arts department at Grant MacEwan. He is survived by a wife and daughters Kate & Bridget Ryan.
Although he continues hosting his own show on 630 CHED, 75-year-old Bryan Hall retired from his duties as the official "voice" of the Edmonton Eskimos. "Hallsy," as he is often referred to, had spent some 55 years with the CFL club, calling his last game on November 15th, in which we lost 42-21 to the Stampeders.
Suffering from a heart attack at just 41, Edmonton musician, writer and actor Joe Bird died on April 1st. The free spirit became well-known for his "absurd" style and his open-mike gigs over at O'Byrne's Pub. Bird was also active in live theatre, becoming a regular at the Fringe Festival with his improv partners.
Former Edmonton alderman (1963-68) and mayor (1968-74) Ivor Dent passed away from Alzheimer's disease on March 29th, at the age of 85. Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Dent also assisted in bringing the 1978 Commonwealth Games to Edmonton. He became a member of the Order of Canada in 1984.
On April 15th Oilers GM Steve Tambellini announced that Craig MacTavish was let go as the team's head coach, after eight seasons together (2000-09). Former Team Canada head coach Pat Quinn took over the reins soon after, as MacTavish went on to work as a hockey commentator for TSN.
Although 35-year-old mother & wife Donna Moore was from Lloydminster, and died in Camrose during a freak storm that ravaged the Big Valley Jamboree on August 1st, Edmonton shared in the mourning. In fact, Edmontonians raised the majority of funds for Moore's family, and hosted the BVJ "makeup concert" on September 17th, for fans who missed out on the remainder of the annual festival. It also served as a tribute to Moore, headlined by Tim McGraw.
Edmonton Jazz Society co-founder and long-time Jazz City Festival Society board member Craig Magill, 69, died on December 31st in New York. Magill was on holidays in New York with wife Wendy when he lost his footing outside a jazz club and suffered a massive brain injury. He is survived by two daughters, one son, and four grandchildren.
One of Edmonton's favourite DJs, Fearless Fred, aired his final show on The Bear 100.3 in August, before packing up and joining the on-air crew over at Toronto's CFNY-FM (102.1 The Edge). Fred's drive-home time slot was given to replacement Scott McCord.
Radio broadcasting pioneer Lewis Roskin died on December 27th, at the age of 89. The Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Famer was involved in establishing Santa's Anonymous, the Brightest Lights campaign, and CHQT radio (now iNews 880). "Uncle Lew," as he was nicknamed, started in Edmonton as CFRN's program director in 1947.
After just three years at Metro Cinema, the Deadmonton Film Festival called it a day, when founder & organizer Matt Acosta announced that he was moving to Vancouver to pursue his film ventures. The horror movie festival was put on "hiatus," but in it's place came Dedfest, which took over the Metro from October 15-18th.
The Soldiers: Master Corporal Don Pike, 35, of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was killed in an Edmonton auto accident on June 16th.
30-year-old Cpl. Nick Bulger (3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) died on July 3rd during a roadside bomb explosion in the province of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Bulger is survived by a wife (Rebeka) and two daughters (Brooklyn and Elizabeth).
On October 28th an IED also killed 26-year-old Lt. Justin Boyes of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Lights Infantry. He left behind a wife (Alanna) and son (James).
Just two days later, on October 30th, Sapper Steven Marshall (11th Field Squadron, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment) was killed by an IED in the Kandahar province. Marshall was just 24-years-old.
Another improvised explosive device took the life of 30-year-old Lt. Andrew Richard Nuttall (1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Lights Infantry) on December 23rd, in Panjwaii. Nuttall was the 134th Canadian to die in Afghanistan since 2002.
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
IT'S been another exceptional year for the city of Edmonton, despite some unseasonably cold & record-breaking temperatures, an Oilers losing streak (or two), and that recession that everybody's been talking about.But, as is our intention, I Heart Edmonton is gonna try and stick to the good that has graced our growing metropolis...more or less.
So, before I ramble on any further, let's recap some of my favourite moments or memorable experiences in my hometown during 2009! (Part 3 of 3):
Edmonton Is North America's #1 Spot...Twice In One Week!
On Sunday, December 13th Edmonton was the coldest place on the continent (-46.1/-58.4 with windchill), and only second to Siberia (-48) worldwide. The low was recorded at the International Airport, but still falls short of the city's all-time record of -48.3/-61 (with windchill), on January 26, 1972. Just three days later, on December 16th, Edmonton was presented with the Sociable City Award for being the "most sociable city in North America"! According to the RHI (Responsible Hospitality Institute), our city raised the bar in '09 when it came to a vibrant & safe nightlife, revitalization, economic development, multi-cultural activities, innovative marketing campaigns, public space entertainment, and more. Not really news to I Heart though!
Reno of the Year
Just in time for the Christmas season, Kingsway Mall (now "Garden"-less) unveiled the sum of a 2-year, $70 million redevelopment on November 13th. The 33-year-old shopping centre, the city's second largest, brightened up its interior, designed a more spacious & welcoming main entrance, and updated bathrooms, lounge areas and its food court, all in an effort to bring more traffic to its more than 200 stores and shops.
Runner-Up: Like Kingsway, Southgate Centre went through a necessary renovation, but unlike Kingsway, it also expanded its square footage before revealing its new look on August 5th. The mall also worked to accomodate a brand new LRT station adjacent from the expansion.
From Pipe Dream to ProspectWhen Edmonton-based billionaire Daryl Katz came out of nowhere and offered $200 million to purchase the Edmonton Oilers in January 2008, there were plenty of locals who were weary or concerned, some even downright pissed off! But along with the hefty deal came an intriguing proposal...to build a $450 million arena...scratch that...entertainment complex in Edmonton! Katz even promised to put $100 million of his own cash towards the project, which crept closer to reality during '09. In fact, there was even a proposed location for the esteemed structure, where the Baccarat Casino currently resides (near the downtown Grant MacEwan campus). But the majority of Edmontonians were against spending city tax money on the arena, as much as 76% in August. If the project does eventually get the green light, Edmonton's downtown will see a grand rejuvenation that may par it up with other major Canadian cities.
From Prospect to Reality
In 2005 the Edmonton Art Gallery placed a call for architects from around the world to come up with a brand new look for its dreary downtown building. L.A.-based Randall Stout answered that call and won the contract to give the renamed Art Gallery of Alberta an $88 million overhaul. 2009 saw the 5-year project finally come into its own, setting itself apart from anything this town has ever seen. The venturesome design pulled from local characteristics to inspire its final draft, one that has garnered more than its share of negative feedback. But, despite the naysayers, Edmonton's new AGA will hopefully be a prototype for a revolution in regional architecture when it finally opens its doors on January 31, 2010. See you there?!
Committee of the Year
Homelessness. It's a problem that has increased a whopping 125% since 2000, and which affects an estimated 3,000 Edmontonians. That's why a committed team of locals, including mayor Stephen Mandel, formed the Edmonton Committee to End Homelessness. In January they launched an ambitious strategy called "A Place to Call Home: Edmonton's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness," which will, in theory, bring that 3,000 number down to zero by 2018!
Strangest Place to Eat a Burger
Hands down, it's gotta be The Motoraunt! Sitting on the corner of 124th Ave. & 66th St. is this cross between a restaurant and a purple double-decker bus that most just call the "bus cafe." The exterior is far from anything you'll see in Edmonton, with an interior to match...oh, and a bathroom about as big as one of my dresser drawers. And then there's those giant burgers! Their 2-1/2-pound Monster Burgers are literally the size of a dinner plate (an 11" circumference)! The Alberta beef patties are served on a freshly-baked French loaf with a side of "motor chips," themselves sprinkled in salt & vinegar, and all for under $20. Finish two Monster Burgers in less than 20 minutes and your third is free (at another sitting, of course).
Favourite Wine SpotI like simplicity when it comes to my alcohol, so Passa Tempo (pictured left) (9914-89th Ave./ 780-437-5588) easily takes the crown here. This intimate watering hole is about the width and length of a city bus and specializes in vino and the foods that compliment it. It's the perfect spot to sip on some reasonably-priced wine & listen to some Mos Def on a crisp summer night.
Local Band Hits Big Time
Well, kinda! Edmonton-based pop band Stereos (formerly known as Stand By Me and then Turn It Up) were discovered after appearing on MuchMusic's 2008 TV show disBAND, which led to two name changes and a record deal with Universal Music Canada. On June 4, 2009 the generic "rockers" premiered their debut video "Summer Girl" (see video below) on the MuchMusic Countdown. The song went all the way to #2 on the Canadian pop charts, followed up with another hit in "Throw Ya Hands Up" (#3), both from their self-titled debut album (#3) that was produced by Juno winner Gavin Brown (Billy Talent, Three Days Grace). On November 7th Steroes, fronted by Pat Kordyback, kicked off their first cross-Canada tour in Windsor, Ontario, making their way to play Edmonton on December 3rd (with The Midway State). They return to Edmonton on March 29th at the Shaw Conference Centre.
Favourite Morning News
With a perky crew that includes Ryan Jespersen, Michele McDougall, Bridget Ryan and Asha Tomlinson, how could you not watch Citytv's Breakfast Television before heading off to hell...I mean work?! For four hours each morning (Monday-Friday) this team shines a light on the people, the places and the events that make our city special.
The 'Lucy the Elephant' Fiasco
Following months of pleading with the city's Valley Zoo to have ailing Asian elephant Lucy placed in a San Andreas, California sanctuary, retired The Price Is Right host Bob Barker visited Edmonton on September 17th. The former game show host is well-known as an animal rights advocate, and first started lobbying for 34-year-old Lucy's move to the 12-hectare enclosure back in the winter of '08, but Valley Zoo staff continued defending their decision to keep Lucy put, and that a transfer may kill her.
"To move her at the [limit] of her respiratory capacity, her ability to breathe...is tantamount to signing a certificate of her death," claimed zoo veterinarian Dr. Milton Ness. Shortly before Barker's visit, TV actor William Shatner (Star Trek) sent a letter to mayor Stephen Mandel, asking to "allow Lucy to retire to better circumstances than at the Edmonton zoo." In the end, Lucy remained in Edmonton, and there are no current plans on moving her to another facility. Lucy has been at the Valley Zoo for 32 years now.
The Goodbyes of '09At only 62-years-old, influential local arts advocate Tim Ryan died on November 5th, due to congestive heart failure, complicated by the H1N1 virus. Ryan was a vital part of Edmonton's live theatre community, establishing the 30-year-old arts department at Grant MacEwan. He is survived by a wife and daughters Kate & Bridget Ryan.
Although he continues hosting his own show on 630 CHED, 75-year-old Bryan Hall retired from his duties as the official "voice" of the Edmonton Eskimos. "Hallsy," as he is often referred to, had spent some 55 years with the CFL club, calling his last game on November 15th, in which we lost 42-21 to the Stampeders.
Suffering from a heart attack at just 41, Edmonton musician, writer and actor Joe Bird died on April 1st. The free spirit became well-known for his "absurd" style and his open-mike gigs over at O'Byrne's Pub. Bird was also active in live theatre, becoming a regular at the Fringe Festival with his improv partners.
Former Edmonton alderman (1963-68) and mayor (1968-74) Ivor Dent passed away from Alzheimer's disease on March 29th, at the age of 85. Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Dent also assisted in bringing the 1978 Commonwealth Games to Edmonton. He became a member of the Order of Canada in 1984.
On April 15th Oilers GM Steve Tambellini announced that Craig MacTavish was let go as the team's head coach, after eight seasons together (2000-09). Former Team Canada head coach Pat Quinn took over the reins soon after, as MacTavish went on to work as a hockey commentator for TSN.
Although 35-year-old mother & wife Donna Moore was from Lloydminster, and died in Camrose during a freak storm that ravaged the Big Valley Jamboree on August 1st, Edmonton shared in the mourning. In fact, Edmontonians raised the majority of funds for Moore's family, and hosted the BVJ "makeup concert" on September 17th, for fans who missed out on the remainder of the annual festival. It also served as a tribute to Moore, headlined by Tim McGraw.
Edmonton Jazz Society co-founder and long-time Jazz City Festival Society board member Craig Magill, 69, died on December 31st in New York. Magill was on holidays in New York with wife Wendy when he lost his footing outside a jazz club and suffered a massive brain injury. He is survived by two daughters, one son, and four grandchildren.
One of Edmonton's favourite DJs, Fearless Fred, aired his final show on The Bear 100.3 in August, before packing up and joining the on-air crew over at Toronto's CFNY-FM (102.1 The Edge). Fred's drive-home time slot was given to replacement Scott McCord.
Radio broadcasting pioneer Lewis Roskin died on December 27th, at the age of 89. The Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Famer was involved in establishing Santa's Anonymous, the Brightest Lights campaign, and CHQT radio (now iNews 880). "Uncle Lew," as he was nicknamed, started in Edmonton as CFRN's program director in 1947.
After just three years at Metro Cinema, the Deadmonton Film Festival called it a day, when founder & organizer Matt Acosta announced that he was moving to Vancouver to pursue his film ventures. The horror movie festival was put on "hiatus," but in it's place came Dedfest, which took over the Metro from October 15-18th.
The Soldiers: Master Corporal Don Pike, 35, of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was killed in an Edmonton auto accident on June 16th.30-year-old Cpl. Nick Bulger (3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) died on July 3rd during a roadside bomb explosion in the province of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Bulger is survived by a wife (Rebeka) and two daughters (Brooklyn and Elizabeth).
On October 28th an IED also killed 26-year-old Lt. Justin Boyes of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Lights Infantry. He left behind a wife (Alanna) and son (James).
Just two days later, on October 30th, Sapper Steven Marshall (11th Field Squadron, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment) was killed by an IED in the Kandahar province. Marshall was just 24-years-old.
Another improvised explosive device took the life of 30-year-old Lt. Andrew Richard Nuttall (1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Lights Infantry) on December 23rd, in Panjwaii. Nuttall was the 134th Canadian to die in Afghanistan since 2002.
21-year-old Cpl. Zachery McCormack (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) and 28-year-old Sgt. George Miok (41 Combat Engineer Regiment), both from Edmonton, were killed from an IED in the province of Kandahar, Afghanistan, on December 30th. The attack also killed fellow Canadian soldiers Sgt. Kirk Taylor and Pte. Garrett William Chidley, and Calgary Herald reporter Michelle Lang. At the time of his death, McCormack was engaged to be married.
e
e
Monday, December 28, 2009
Edmonton In '09: A Recap, Pt. II
So much has happened over the last 12 months, and 'I Heart' is here to revisit the best (& worst) moments...
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
IT'S been another exceptional year for the city of Edmonton, despite some unseasonably cold & record-breaking temperatures, an Oilers losing streak (or two), and that recession that everybody's been talking about.
But, as is our intention, I Heart Edmonton is gonna try and stick to the good that has graced our growing metropolis...more or less.
So, before I ramble on any further, let's recap some of my favourite or most memorable moments and experiences in my hometown during 2009! (Part 2 of 3):
Favourite Local Film of the Year
Although director Rosie Dransfeld was born far from Edmonton, her sobering documentary Broke (4/5 stars) was filmed right here in our city. Set at the inner city pawn shop A1 Trading, Broke lent us an inside look into how the poor get by, thanks to their "friendly pawnbroker." In this particular case that pawnbroker is David Woolfson, a Jewish immigrant with an ailing wife and children who don't even talk to him. He runs this shop on 111th Ave. & 94th St. on his own, but during the filming he gets some complimentary assistance from a self-confessed "psycopath" who's looking to straighten out his life. His name is Chris Hoard. Their bold personalities clash from time to time, fostering an unusual kinship that eventually turns sour, once the cameras stop rolling. Broke (see trailer below) opened the 2009 Global Visions Film Festival in Edmonton, on November 5th.
Favourite Non-Local Film of the Year
"As pun-filled ironic as it may sound, [Steve] McQueen's emotional epic of a film left me hungry for more." That's what I wrote in my review of the haunting and emotive indie film Hunger (4.5/5), which I saw at The Garneau on April 26th. Some of my other non-local favourites that I saw during '09 were The Wrestler (4.5/5), Drag Me to Hell (4/5), Star Trek (4/5), Inglourious Basterds (4/5) and Paranormal Activity (4/5). Click the links to read the reviews.
Local Podcast of the Year
It wasn't until June '09 that Adam Rozenhart and Scott C. Bourgeois established The Unknown Studio, but it already sounds like a well-oiled staple of Edmonton's preferred underground media. The local podcast invites special guests about twice a month to the "abandoned cabin in the woods" where they host the hyperlocal broadcasts, including 630 CHED's Dan Tencer, playwrights Simon Crowley & Mike Young, and Ward 5 City Councillor Don Iveson.
Favourite Non-Chain Coffee
Right on Sir Winston Churchill Square, adjacent from the Stanley A. Milner Library, is a cozy, yet spacious coffee shop called Three Bananas Cafe. It sells a wide range of food and specialty drinks, but their "regular coffee" is what hooked me...and such big cups!
Photo of the Year
When ESPN The Magazine launched its inaugural "Body Issue" on October 9th, the photo that snagged all the attention, amongst Edmontonians at least, was the one that featured three Oilers in the buff! That's right, naked as the day they were born...well, kinda. Objects cleverly curtained the private parts of Andrew Cogliano (right), Sheldon Souray (center) and Oilers captain Ethan Moreau (left) for the photo shoot. "I wouldn't have done something like that if it wasn't a respected sports publication like ESPN The Magazine," commented Cogliano about the provocative locker room snapshot. "It features top athletes and it's good for marketing the sport and the NHL." Other big-name sports stars to appear in the "Body Issue" included Dwight Howard, Gina Carano, Adrian Peterson, Carl Edwards, and Serena Williams.
Phase-Out of the Year
The "controversial" City Centre Airport has more than served its purpose over the last 80 years, with a rich history that includes it being recognized as Canada's first licensed airfield (1929). But on July 8th, after months of debating over the future of the public airport, city council finally came to a decision. The ground would see a "phased closure" until it is completely extinct, possibly in June 2012, when scheduled service licenses expire.
The city had been criticized for taking too long to decide the ECCA's fate, and then again when they chose to close it down in phases. But most locals welcomed the news, citing that the ECCA no longer served any real importance, with the Edmonton International Airport offering all and more than the City Centre could, for the most part. Plus, this meant that the 144 acres that the ECCA encompassed could eventually be used to expand the neighbouring NAIT, as well as business and residential development. This also means that the city, if it continues to host the Indy, will have to find a new location for the annual summer event.
Some '09 Sports Highlights
I guess after eight mostly unexceptional seasons coaching his former Edmonton Oilers, we had had enough of Craig MacTavish, who was fired from the team in April. In his place came Pat Quinn, officially welcomed to the franchise on May 26th. Quinn, who coached Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics, coached his first game for the dynasty on October 3rd, though we lost 4-3 to the Calgary Flames. He is the Oilers' 9th head coach.
Although Texas-born Grey Cup winner Richie Hall was officially hired on as the 18th head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos (and the team's first-ever African-American coach) in December of '08, he didn't coach his first game until Wednesday, June 17th, when Edmonton beat the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-12. Hall, who replaced Eskimos GM Danny Maciocia, was not successful, though, in taking the team to the Grey Cup finals, which were held in Calgary and won by the Montreal Alouettes.
Who says you can't go home? A few still-bitter Edmontonians, that's who! Although there was the ocassional hater, the majority of locals were ready to welcome back homegrown former Oiler Mike Comrie (pictured left with girlfriend Hilary Duff), who signed a 1-year contract (worth $1.125 million) with his old team on September 10th. Comrie, who last played for the Ottawa Senators, returned to the ice as an Oiler on the 18th, his first time in the copper-and-blue jersey since 2003. The Oilers won that game 4-0 against the Florida Panthers, and Comrie got an assist on each one.
Though the Oilers' '09 record is nothing to brag of there was a short period in December that had the rest of the NHL take notice, when the team broke the franchise record of most consecutive wins on an uninterrupted road trip! It started with a 4-1 victory over the Red Wings in Detroit, on December 3rd, and continued with four more straight wins, in Dallas (3-2) on the 5th, Florida (3-2) on the 7th, Tampa Bay (3-2) on the 9th, and St. Louis (5-3) on the 11th. Unfortunately, that then turned into a 4-game losing streak at home!
Not exactly a shocker within the curling community, Edmonton's own Kevin Martin won gold at the Tim Horton's Roar of the Rings tournament on Sunday, December 13th. That not only meant that Team Martin was tops at the Roar of the Rings--held at Edmonton's Rexall Place--but, more importantly, it meant a ticket to compete in the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. 16,000 curling enthusiasts witnessed Martin take out runner-up Glenn Howard (7-3) that afternoon, ending the 8-day trials with a 92% personal average.
Favourite Donair Joint
Okay, I know this is what you've been waiting for, right?! Based on a combination of taste, quantity, price and service, I'd have to recommend Lynnwood Donair & Burger (I heard they also offer an awesome mushroom burger!) (8764-149th St./ 780-481-5859), who fill their wraps with a tonne of meat at a decent price, quickly and with a smile. What more could you ask for?!
Local Song of the Year
When I first heard Jeff Stuart & the Hearts' "The Wire," via their MySpace page, I was hooked. Not just on the masterfully produced 4-minute pinnacle of their modest catalogue, but on the 6-piece musicianship known as Jeff Stuart & the Hearts. I got to hear the song, and most of the others from their 2009 debut Black Dogs Blue Giants, live on Tuesday, November 10th, when the alt-rockers hosted a CD release party at The Pawn Shop. I even got to meet Stuart himself during an impromptu run-in at the back of the Whyte Ave. venue, and ended up picking up the album that night. No regrets so far!
Runner-Up: Roots phenom Corb Lund & his Hurtin' Albertans kept it simple on "This Is My Prairie," the only track on Lund's Losin' Lately Gambler album that he didn't author on his own (co-penned with Harry Stinson).
The 'Dancing Dan' Fiasco
"It just makes me sick to my stomach to know that I received this violation ticket for what I enjoy doing," the man known as "Dancing Dan" told CTV News. You see, the eccentric local has become a West End staple, dancing to whatever plays through those oversized headphones on various street corners, usually down 178th St. But, in June, a Spruce Grove RCMP officer handed over a $402 fine to Dan, for "stunting." "As a result of public complaints Dan eventually got a stunting ticket for interfering with the motorists," said RCMP Sgt. Jim Martin. After an uproar over the expensive punishment, and local radio station The Bear offering to pay for the fine, the RCMP ripped up the ticket.
e
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
IT'S been another exceptional year for the city of Edmonton, despite some unseasonably cold & record-breaking temperatures, an Oilers losing streak (or two), and that recession that everybody's been talking about.
But, as is our intention, I Heart Edmonton is gonna try and stick to the good that has graced our growing metropolis...more or less.
So, before I ramble on any further, let's recap some of my favourite or most memorable moments and experiences in my hometown during 2009! (Part 2 of 3):
Favourite Local Film of the Year
Although director Rosie Dransfeld was born far from Edmonton, her sobering documentary Broke (4/5 stars) was filmed right here in our city. Set at the inner city pawn shop A1 Trading, Broke lent us an inside look into how the poor get by, thanks to their "friendly pawnbroker." In this particular case that pawnbroker is David Woolfson, a Jewish immigrant with an ailing wife and children who don't even talk to him. He runs this shop on 111th Ave. & 94th St. on his own, but during the filming he gets some complimentary assistance from a self-confessed "psycopath" who's looking to straighten out his life. His name is Chris Hoard. Their bold personalities clash from time to time, fostering an unusual kinship that eventually turns sour, once the cameras stop rolling. Broke (see trailer below) opened the 2009 Global Visions Film Festival in Edmonton, on November 5th.
Favourite Non-Local Film of the Year
"As pun-filled ironic as it may sound, [Steve] McQueen's emotional epic of a film left me hungry for more." That's what I wrote in my review of the haunting and emotive indie film Hunger (4.5/5), which I saw at The Garneau on April 26th. Some of my other non-local favourites that I saw during '09 were The Wrestler (4.5/5), Drag Me to Hell (4/5), Star Trek (4/5), Inglourious Basterds (4/5) and Paranormal Activity (4/5). Click the links to read the reviews.
Local Podcast of the Year
It wasn't until June '09 that Adam Rozenhart and Scott C. Bourgeois established The Unknown Studio, but it already sounds like a well-oiled staple of Edmonton's preferred underground media. The local podcast invites special guests about twice a month to the "abandoned cabin in the woods" where they host the hyperlocal broadcasts, including 630 CHED's Dan Tencer, playwrights Simon Crowley & Mike Young, and Ward 5 City Councillor Don Iveson.
Favourite Non-Chain Coffee
Right on Sir Winston Churchill Square, adjacent from the Stanley A. Milner Library, is a cozy, yet spacious coffee shop called Three Bananas Cafe. It sells a wide range of food and specialty drinks, but their "regular coffee" is what hooked me...and such big cups!
Photo of the YearWhen ESPN The Magazine launched its inaugural "Body Issue" on October 9th, the photo that snagged all the attention, amongst Edmontonians at least, was the one that featured three Oilers in the buff! That's right, naked as the day they were born...well, kinda. Objects cleverly curtained the private parts of Andrew Cogliano (right), Sheldon Souray (center) and Oilers captain Ethan Moreau (left) for the photo shoot. "I wouldn't have done something like that if it wasn't a respected sports publication like ESPN The Magazine," commented Cogliano about the provocative locker room snapshot. "It features top athletes and it's good for marketing the sport and the NHL." Other big-name sports stars to appear in the "Body Issue" included Dwight Howard, Gina Carano, Adrian Peterson, Carl Edwards, and Serena Williams.
Phase-Out of the Year
The "controversial" City Centre Airport has more than served its purpose over the last 80 years, with a rich history that includes it being recognized as Canada's first licensed airfield (1929). But on July 8th, after months of debating over the future of the public airport, city council finally came to a decision. The ground would see a "phased closure" until it is completely extinct, possibly in June 2012, when scheduled service licenses expire.
The city had been criticized for taking too long to decide the ECCA's fate, and then again when they chose to close it down in phases. But most locals welcomed the news, citing that the ECCA no longer served any real importance, with the Edmonton International Airport offering all and more than the City Centre could, for the most part. Plus, this meant that the 144 acres that the ECCA encompassed could eventually be used to expand the neighbouring NAIT, as well as business and residential development. This also means that the city, if it continues to host the Indy, will have to find a new location for the annual summer event.
Some '09 Sports Highlights
I guess after eight mostly unexceptional seasons coaching his former Edmonton Oilers, we had had enough of Craig MacTavish, who was fired from the team in April. In his place came Pat Quinn, officially welcomed to the franchise on May 26th. Quinn, who coached Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics, coached his first game for the dynasty on October 3rd, though we lost 4-3 to the Calgary Flames. He is the Oilers' 9th head coach.
Although Texas-born Grey Cup winner Richie Hall was officially hired on as the 18th head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos (and the team's first-ever African-American coach) in December of '08, he didn't coach his first game until Wednesday, June 17th, when Edmonton beat the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-12. Hall, who replaced Eskimos GM Danny Maciocia, was not successful, though, in taking the team to the Grey Cup finals, which were held in Calgary and won by the Montreal Alouettes.
Who says you can't go home? A few still-bitter Edmontonians, that's who! Although there was the ocassional hater, the majority of locals were ready to welcome back homegrown former Oiler Mike Comrie (pictured left with girlfriend Hilary Duff), who signed a 1-year contract (worth $1.125 million) with his old team on September 10th. Comrie, who last played for the Ottawa Senators, returned to the ice as an Oiler on the 18th, his first time in the copper-and-blue jersey since 2003. The Oilers won that game 4-0 against the Florida Panthers, and Comrie got an assist on each one.Though the Oilers' '09 record is nothing to brag of there was a short period in December that had the rest of the NHL take notice, when the team broke the franchise record of most consecutive wins on an uninterrupted road trip! It started with a 4-1 victory over the Red Wings in Detroit, on December 3rd, and continued with four more straight wins, in Dallas (3-2) on the 5th, Florida (3-2) on the 7th, Tampa Bay (3-2) on the 9th, and St. Louis (5-3) on the 11th. Unfortunately, that then turned into a 4-game losing streak at home!
Not exactly a shocker within the curling community, Edmonton's own Kevin Martin won gold at the Tim Horton's Roar of the Rings tournament on Sunday, December 13th. That not only meant that Team Martin was tops at the Roar of the Rings--held at Edmonton's Rexall Place--but, more importantly, it meant a ticket to compete in the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. 16,000 curling enthusiasts witnessed Martin take out runner-up Glenn Howard (7-3) that afternoon, ending the 8-day trials with a 92% personal average.
Favourite Donair Joint
Okay, I know this is what you've been waiting for, right?! Based on a combination of taste, quantity, price and service, I'd have to recommend Lynnwood Donair & Burger (I heard they also offer an awesome mushroom burger!) (8764-149th St./ 780-481-5859), who fill their wraps with a tonne of meat at a decent price, quickly and with a smile. What more could you ask for?!
Local Song of the YearWhen I first heard Jeff Stuart & the Hearts' "The Wire," via their MySpace page, I was hooked. Not just on the masterfully produced 4-minute pinnacle of their modest catalogue, but on the 6-piece musicianship known as Jeff Stuart & the Hearts. I got to hear the song, and most of the others from their 2009 debut Black Dogs Blue Giants, live on Tuesday, November 10th, when the alt-rockers hosted a CD release party at The Pawn Shop. I even got to meet Stuart himself during an impromptu run-in at the back of the Whyte Ave. venue, and ended up picking up the album that night. No regrets so far!
Runner-Up: Roots phenom Corb Lund & his Hurtin' Albertans kept it simple on "This Is My Prairie," the only track on Lund's Losin' Lately Gambler album that he didn't author on his own (co-penned with Harry Stinson).
The 'Dancing Dan' Fiasco
"It just makes me sick to my stomach to know that I received this violation ticket for what I enjoy doing," the man known as "Dancing Dan" told CTV News. You see, the eccentric local has become a West End staple, dancing to whatever plays through those oversized headphones on various street corners, usually down 178th St. But, in June, a Spruce Grove RCMP officer handed over a $402 fine to Dan, for "stunting." "As a result of public complaints Dan eventually got a stunting ticket for interfering with the motorists," said RCMP Sgt. Jim Martin. After an uproar over the expensive punishment, and local radio station The Bear offering to pay for the fine, the RCMP ripped up the ticket.
e
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Edmonton In '09: A Recap, Pt. I
So much has happened over the last 12 months, and 'I Heart' is here to revisit the best (& worst) moments...
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
IT'S been another exceptional year for the city of Edmonton, despite some unseasonably cold & record-breaking temperatures, an Oilers losing streak (or two), and that recession that everybody's been talking about.
But, as is our intention, "I Heart Edmonton" is gonna try and stick to the good that has graced our growing metropolis...more or less.
So, before I ramble on any further, let's recap some of my favourite or most memorable moments and experiences in my hometown during 2009! (Part 1 of 3):
Best Fest of the Year
There's literally dozens to choose from in "Festival City," but one stands out for its record-setting season that was full of innovation and community spirit. The Fringe! The 11-day live theatre event (August 13-23) recaptured its title as North America's #1 fringe festival, with ticket sales eclipsing that of Winnipeg's, which held the title for all of four weeks before we reclaimed it. The 28th annual Edmonton International Fringe Festival, the oldest on the continent, saw attendance reach 550,000, while ticket sales topped 92,000!
Runner-Up: The 49-year-old Edmonton Folk Music Festival also saw record ticket sales in 2009, thanks to the idea to add a fifth day to the usually 4-day music fest. Organizers sold about 105,000 tickets during this season, continuing their streak of 15 consecutive years in which they've sold-out. Performers this year included Patty Griffin, Steve Earle, Boz Scaggs, Bela Fleck, Rodney Crowell, and Sarah McLachlan.
Tweet of the Year
"Assholes beware" was the first thing I noticed when I checked out my Twitter page on the evening of Thursday, December 3rd. I'm not usually caught off guard by such comments on social networking sites--I've seen much worse-- but this particular tweet was from Ward 5 City Councillor Don Iveson, who's clean-cut look I've seen numerous times on the evening news, always when they are doing a story centering around Edmonton's City Hall. Iveson, 30, was referring to a brazen daytime attack earlier that day that sent city bus driver Tom Bregg to the hospital. "An ETS bus operator was assaulted very seriously this morning," Twittered Iveson that same night. "Police caught the guy. Assholes beware, buses have cameras."
Favourite Place to Watch Movies
Although The Garneau would take the crown during the Winter season (and most of the Fall), the rest of the year it's runner-up to Sir Winston Churchill Square. Unfortunately, brand new releases are not available for screening on the Square, but the scenery kicks ass!
Video of the Year
I hope Kanye doesn't run up on stage and interrupt the acceptance speech this time, but you never know with that guy! Anyways, the (Edmonton) Video of the Year award goes to "Hitler Goes Off on the Oilers," a 4-minute satirical clip made by 19-year-old U of A student Saurash Reddy, who posted it on YouTube on March 16th. The video uses a scene from a 2004 German film titled Downfall, in which Hitler's advisors tell him that they've lost WWII. Reddy added his own hilarious Oilers-oriented subtitles, some of which use (very) foul language, so don't say I didn't warn you Edmonton. As of today the video has been viewed on YouTube well over 220,000 times!
Concert of the Year
On the heels of their first album in eight years (2008's Black Ice), the rockers from Down Under AC/DC set out on a global tour to promote it. After many torturous weeks of speculating whether the Aussie icons would return to Edmonton, we got the news! On Wednesday, August 26th the aging band hit the stage at a swiftly sold-out show at Commonwealth Stadium, taunting the weather to play along with their raucous riffs that have become second nature to the 60,000--give or take--Edmontonians--give or take--in the seats of the football stadium that euphoric night. Mother Nature obliged, and as the chilly rain poured down hard and the lightning danced in the dark skies above, AC/DC hammered out every thunderous rock anthem in their imperishable repertoire. It was rock 'n' roll bliss!
Runner-Up: A much smaller affair than AC/DC's extravaganza was Bryan Adams' outdoor bash at Telus Field, on Friday, September 4th. Adams performed his nearly endless list of hits for 7,500 fans (including several Oilers) and also welcomed new Oilers head coach Pat Quinn onstage for a brief pep talk on the upcoming hockey season, before ending the night with fireworks. Actually, for me, the night ended with a $50 parking ticket!
Other Big-Name Edmonton Concerts of '09
-Brad Paisley @ Rexall Place on February 20th
-Beyonce @ Rexall Place on March 26th
-Nickelback @ Rexall Place on April 1st
-Britney Spears @ Rexall Place on April 6th
-Neil Young @ Rexall Place on April 23rd
-John Fogerty @ Rexall Place on June 3rd
-The Offspring @ Northlands Agricom on June 13th
-Coldplay @ Rexall Place on June 18th
-Megadeth @ Rexall Place on June 26th
-Jonas Brothers @ Rexall Place on July 2nd
-Green Day @ Rexall Place on July 6th
-Kenny Chesney/Taylor Swift @ Commonwealth on July 9th
-No Doubt @ Rexall Place on July 16th
-Blink-182 @ Rexall Place on July 31st
-Rod Stewart @ Rexall Place on August 10th
-Kings of Leon @ Rexall Place on August 12th
-The Beach Boys @ River Cree Casino on August 27th
-Marilyn Manson @ Shaw Conference Centre on September 11th
-The Tragically Hip @ Jubilee Auditorium on September 13-14, 16-17th
-Tim McGraw @ Rexall Place on September 17th
-Keith Urban @ Rexall Place on September 20th & 22nd
-Motorhead @ Edmonton Event Centre on September 29th
-Kenny Rogers @ River Cree Casino on October 4th
-George Jones @ Jubilee Auditorium on October 9th
-Jay-Z @ Rexall Place on October 13th
-Chris Isaak @ Jubilee Auditorium on October 14th
-The Temptations @ River Cree Casino on October 15th
-Tony Bennett @ Jubilee Auditorium on October 15th
-Stone Temple Pilots @ Shaw Conference Centre on November 11th
-Emmylou Harris @ Winspear Centre on November 12th
-Three Days Grace @ Rexall Place on November 26th
Big-Name Cancellations of '09
-Fleetwood Mac @ Rexall Place on May 13th
-Aerosmith/ZZ Top @ Commonwealth Stadium on August 11th
-Lil' Wayne @ Rexall Place on August 18th
-Mos Def @ Edmonton Event Centre on August 24th
-Def Leppard @ Rexall Place on October 31st
-Kanye West/Lady Gaga @ Rexall Place on November 28th
Favourite Used Book Store
On Halloween I stumbled upon a quaint little book shop near the University Hospital, called Belgravia Books & Treasures (76th Ave. & 115th St.), which was packed full of mostly second-hand books, but also nic-nacs, picture frames, jewelry, CDs, and even sheet music. A bit pricier than I had hoped for, but worth the extra bucks.
The It's-About-Time Moment of the Year
In October the city of Edmonton presented an order to the owners of the notorious Cromdale Hotel (118th Ave. & 82nd St.) to have the aging inner-city bar/hotel demolished. This came five years after the health department had the establishment closed due to numerous health & safety violations, including mouldy walls and floors strewn with condoms, urine and even feces. The Cromdale served as a mainstay of the crime-plagued strip now rechristened Alberta Avenue, and has no place in a community eager to revitalize. "It's just an eyesore," said City Councillor Ed Gibbons. "We're spending a lot of money trying to bring life back to the avenue. We want to see the end of it." Now let's set our sights on the Transit next, shall we?!
Promotion of the Year
38 years after it was erected in downtown Edmonton, and a decade after dropping "community" from its name, Grant MacEwan College became Grant MacEwan University, officially renamed as so on September 24th. What's the difference? Well, not that much, really! The institute now offers even more university-like degree programs, in addition to its traditional shorter-term diploma programs. It first started offering full bachelor degrees back in 2004, but waited another five years to fully transition into university status.
Venue of the Year
When it comes to arenas of 15,000 seats or more, Edmonton's Rexall Place ranks No.10 in the world for concert & event ticket sales! This is according to a mid-year report from the Venue Today publication, recognizing Rexall as a major player in global venues. Grossing $17.3 million worth of tickets from 39 shows & events (home-team sports games were excluded) also made Rexall the No.2 arena in Canada, behind only Toronto's Air Canada Centre. "U.S. acts want to come to Canada, and when they come to Canada they need to come to Edmonton," said Rexall sales director Leanne Smoliak. "We have become well-known in the marketplace for doing a good job." The report, which was released in early September, calculated ticket sales from October 2008 to May 2009. Some of the acts that performed at Rexall during that time frame included Bob Dylan, Britney Spears, Neil Young, Beyonce, and Nickelback.
NOTE: I Heart Edmonton would like to apologize for using so many exclamation marks, but it's just that we're so damn passionate about this city we call home!! I know you'll forgive us, though!
e
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
IT'S been another exceptional year for the city of Edmonton, despite some unseasonably cold & record-breaking temperatures, an Oilers losing streak (or two), and that recession that everybody's been talking about.
But, as is our intention, "I Heart Edmonton" is gonna try and stick to the good that has graced our growing metropolis...more or less.
So, before I ramble on any further, let's recap some of my favourite or most memorable moments and experiences in my hometown during 2009! (Part 1 of 3):
Best Fest of the YearThere's literally dozens to choose from in "Festival City," but one stands out for its record-setting season that was full of innovation and community spirit. The Fringe! The 11-day live theatre event (August 13-23) recaptured its title as North America's #1 fringe festival, with ticket sales eclipsing that of Winnipeg's, which held the title for all of four weeks before we reclaimed it. The 28th annual Edmonton International Fringe Festival, the oldest on the continent, saw attendance reach 550,000, while ticket sales topped 92,000!
Runner-Up: The 49-year-old Edmonton Folk Music Festival also saw record ticket sales in 2009, thanks to the idea to add a fifth day to the usually 4-day music fest. Organizers sold about 105,000 tickets during this season, continuing their streak of 15 consecutive years in which they've sold-out. Performers this year included Patty Griffin, Steve Earle, Boz Scaggs, Bela Fleck, Rodney Crowell, and Sarah McLachlan.
Tweet of the Year
"Assholes beware" was the first thing I noticed when I checked out my Twitter page on the evening of Thursday, December 3rd. I'm not usually caught off guard by such comments on social networking sites--I've seen much worse-- but this particular tweet was from Ward 5 City Councillor Don Iveson, who's clean-cut look I've seen numerous times on the evening news, always when they are doing a story centering around Edmonton's City Hall. Iveson, 30, was referring to a brazen daytime attack earlier that day that sent city bus driver Tom Bregg to the hospital. "An ETS bus operator was assaulted very seriously this morning," Twittered Iveson that same night. "Police caught the guy. Assholes beware, buses have cameras."
Favourite Place to Watch Movies
Although The Garneau would take the crown during the Winter season (and most of the Fall), the rest of the year it's runner-up to Sir Winston Churchill Square. Unfortunately, brand new releases are not available for screening on the Square, but the scenery kicks ass!
Video of the Year
I hope Kanye doesn't run up on stage and interrupt the acceptance speech this time, but you never know with that guy! Anyways, the (Edmonton) Video of the Year award goes to "Hitler Goes Off on the Oilers," a 4-minute satirical clip made by 19-year-old U of A student Saurash Reddy, who posted it on YouTube on March 16th. The video uses a scene from a 2004 German film titled Downfall, in which Hitler's advisors tell him that they've lost WWII. Reddy added his own hilarious Oilers-oriented subtitles, some of which use (very) foul language, so don't say I didn't warn you Edmonton. As of today the video has been viewed on YouTube well over 220,000 times!
Concert of the Year
On the heels of their first album in eight years (2008's Black Ice), the rockers from Down Under AC/DC set out on a global tour to promote it. After many torturous weeks of speculating whether the Aussie icons would return to Edmonton, we got the news! On Wednesday, August 26th the aging band hit the stage at a swiftly sold-out show at Commonwealth Stadium, taunting the weather to play along with their raucous riffs that have become second nature to the 60,000--give or take--Edmontonians--give or take--in the seats of the football stadium that euphoric night. Mother Nature obliged, and as the chilly rain poured down hard and the lightning danced in the dark skies above, AC/DC hammered out every thunderous rock anthem in their imperishable repertoire. It was rock 'n' roll bliss!
Runner-Up: A much smaller affair than AC/DC's extravaganza was Bryan Adams' outdoor bash at Telus Field, on Friday, September 4th. Adams performed his nearly endless list of hits for 7,500 fans (including several Oilers) and also welcomed new Oilers head coach Pat Quinn onstage for a brief pep talk on the upcoming hockey season, before ending the night with fireworks. Actually, for me, the night ended with a $50 parking ticket!
Other Big-Name Edmonton Concerts of '09-Brad Paisley @ Rexall Place on February 20th
-Beyonce @ Rexall Place on March 26th
-Nickelback @ Rexall Place on April 1st
-Britney Spears @ Rexall Place on April 6th
-Neil Young @ Rexall Place on April 23rd
-John Fogerty @ Rexall Place on June 3rd
-The Offspring @ Northlands Agricom on June 13th
-Coldplay @ Rexall Place on June 18th
-Megadeth @ Rexall Place on June 26th
-Jonas Brothers @ Rexall Place on July 2nd
-Green Day @ Rexall Place on July 6th
-Kenny Chesney/Taylor Swift @ Commonwealth on July 9th
-No Doubt @ Rexall Place on July 16th
-Blink-182 @ Rexall Place on July 31st
-Rod Stewart @ Rexall Place on August 10th
-Kings of Leon @ Rexall Place on August 12th
-The Beach Boys @ River Cree Casino on August 27th
-Marilyn Manson @ Shaw Conference Centre on September 11th
-The Tragically Hip @ Jubilee Auditorium on September 13-14, 16-17th
-Tim McGraw @ Rexall Place on September 17th
-Keith Urban @ Rexall Place on September 20th & 22nd
-Motorhead @ Edmonton Event Centre on September 29th
-Kenny Rogers @ River Cree Casino on October 4th
-George Jones @ Jubilee Auditorium on October 9th
-Jay-Z @ Rexall Place on October 13th
-Chris Isaak @ Jubilee Auditorium on October 14th
-The Temptations @ River Cree Casino on October 15th
-Tony Bennett @ Jubilee Auditorium on October 15th
-Stone Temple Pilots @ Shaw Conference Centre on November 11th
-Emmylou Harris @ Winspear Centre on November 12th
-Three Days Grace @ Rexall Place on November 26th
Big-Name Cancellations of '09
-Fleetwood Mac @ Rexall Place on May 13th
-Aerosmith/ZZ Top @ Commonwealth Stadium on August 11th
-Lil' Wayne @ Rexall Place on August 18th
-Mos Def @ Edmonton Event Centre on August 24th
-Def Leppard @ Rexall Place on October 31st
-Kanye West/Lady Gaga @ Rexall Place on November 28th
Favourite Used Book StoreOn Halloween I stumbled upon a quaint little book shop near the University Hospital, called Belgravia Books & Treasures (76th Ave. & 115th St.), which was packed full of mostly second-hand books, but also nic-nacs, picture frames, jewelry, CDs, and even sheet music. A bit pricier than I had hoped for, but worth the extra bucks.
The It's-About-Time Moment of the Year
In October the city of Edmonton presented an order to the owners of the notorious Cromdale Hotel (118th Ave. & 82nd St.) to have the aging inner-city bar/hotel demolished. This came five years after the health department had the establishment closed due to numerous health & safety violations, including mouldy walls and floors strewn with condoms, urine and even feces. The Cromdale served as a mainstay of the crime-plagued strip now rechristened Alberta Avenue, and has no place in a community eager to revitalize. "It's just an eyesore," said City Councillor Ed Gibbons. "We're spending a lot of money trying to bring life back to the avenue. We want to see the end of it." Now let's set our sights on the Transit next, shall we?!
Promotion of the Year
38 years after it was erected in downtown Edmonton, and a decade after dropping "community" from its name, Grant MacEwan College became Grant MacEwan University, officially renamed as so on September 24th. What's the difference? Well, not that much, really! The institute now offers even more university-like degree programs, in addition to its traditional shorter-term diploma programs. It first started offering full bachelor degrees back in 2004, but waited another five years to fully transition into university status.
Venue of the Year
When it comes to arenas of 15,000 seats or more, Edmonton's Rexall Place ranks No.10 in the world for concert & event ticket sales! This is according to a mid-year report from the Venue Today publication, recognizing Rexall as a major player in global venues. Grossing $17.3 million worth of tickets from 39 shows & events (home-team sports games were excluded) also made Rexall the No.2 arena in Canada, behind only Toronto's Air Canada Centre. "U.S. acts want to come to Canada, and when they come to Canada they need to come to Edmonton," said Rexall sales director Leanne Smoliak. "We have become well-known in the marketplace for doing a good job." The report, which was released in early September, calculated ticket sales from October 2008 to May 2009. Some of the acts that performed at Rexall during that time frame included Bob Dylan, Britney Spears, Neil Young, Beyonce, and Nickelback.
NOTE: I Heart Edmonton would like to apologize for using so many exclamation marks, but it's just that we're so damn passionate about this city we call home!! I know you'll forgive us, though!
e
Edmonton's Ready to Ring In New Year
Thousands will head down to the Square to say goodbye to '09 and welcome 2010!
What: Edmonton New Year's Eve 2010 Party
When: Thursday, December 31, 2009 (9PM-)
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Square (downtown)
ALL adjacent roads to Churchill Square will be shut down to allow Edmontonians to celebrate the end of 2009, one of the most challenging years for many locals who were affected by the "Great Recession." But it's almost time to put that all behind us, share some cheap champagne, and clock out all inhibitions to ring in 2010!
The annual celebration is free of cost and is family-friendly, which means there will be plenty of things to do for the kids, including live music, face painting, wagon rides, clowns & magicians, a snowball-throwing contest, skating, concessions, and, of course, a 12-minute pyrotechnics display at midnight.
Amongst the acts that will perform during the festivities are Hanson Jeans, Joe Nolan, Catalyst, All the Range in Dallas, and pianist Simon-Marc de Freitas, the latter of whom will honour the 200th anniversary of Frèdèric Chopin's birth. There will also be indoor activities at City Hall and the Stanley A. Milner Library.
Public transit will be free during the night from 6PM to 3AM, and many city parkades will charge just $1 after 6PM. According to the Weather Network's current forecast for December 31st, the high will be -14, with a low of -21 and scattered flurries, so bundle up Edmonton.
If that's a little cold for your taste, then you can stay home and watch the downtown party on Global Edmonton. Cheers!
Below is an amateur video shot right around midnight of last year's New Year's celebration in downtown Edmonton, courtesy of YouTube.
What: Edmonton New Year's Eve 2010 Party
When: Thursday, December 31, 2009 (9PM-)
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Square (downtown)
ALL adjacent roads to Churchill Square will be shut down to allow Edmontonians to celebrate the end of 2009, one of the most challenging years for many locals who were affected by the "Great Recession." But it's almost time to put that all behind us, share some cheap champagne, and clock out all inhibitions to ring in 2010!The annual celebration is free of cost and is family-friendly, which means there will be plenty of things to do for the kids, including live music, face painting, wagon rides, clowns & magicians, a snowball-throwing contest, skating, concessions, and, of course, a 12-minute pyrotechnics display at midnight.
Amongst the acts that will perform during the festivities are Hanson Jeans, Joe Nolan, Catalyst, All the Range in Dallas, and pianist Simon-Marc de Freitas, the latter of whom will honour the 200th anniversary of Frèdèric Chopin's birth. There will also be indoor activities at City Hall and the Stanley A. Milner Library.
Public transit will be free during the night from 6PM to 3AM, and many city parkades will charge just $1 after 6PM. According to the Weather Network's current forecast for December 31st, the high will be -14, with a low of -21 and scattered flurries, so bundle up Edmonton.
If that's a little cold for your taste, then you can stay home and watch the downtown party on Global Edmonton. Cheers!
Below is an amateur video shot right around midnight of last year's New Year's celebration in downtown Edmonton, courtesy of YouTube.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
It's Christmas Eve, Edmonton, So...
...Why not revisit a local holiday standard from 630 CHED?!
NEAR the beginning of December I Heart Edmonton posted a brief article profiling the long-running local radio broadcast, "And a Creature Was Stirring," a classic that has become a seasonal tradition in our city.
The 4-1/2-minute audio clip was penned & narrated by former 630 CHED staffer Jerry Forbes (produced by Bob McCord), who was inspired by an experience with the radio station's Christmas charity Santa's Anonymous.
So we thought it was worth another listen just before you open those gifts under the tree. Enjoy the clip Edmonton, and Merry Christmas from I Heart!
NEAR the beginning of December I Heart Edmonton posted a brief article profiling the long-running local radio broadcast, "And a Creature Was Stirring," a classic that has become a seasonal tradition in our city.
The 4-1/2-minute audio clip was penned & narrated by former 630 CHED staffer Jerry Forbes (produced by Bob McCord), who was inspired by an experience with the radio station's Christmas charity Santa's Anonymous.
So we thought it was worth another listen just before you open those gifts under the tree. Enjoy the clip Edmonton, and Merry Christmas from I Heart!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The House That Maisie Built!
A quarter million twinkling bulbs light up Edmonton's Christmas season every December at 'Maisie's Magical Christmas House'
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
EVERY holiday season Edmonton homes light up with Christmas glee. Some bare a strip of red or green lights across their eavesdrops. Others extend that single strip across the whole front frame of the house, and perhaps add an illuminated snowman or Santa Claus on the front lawn.
Then there's "Maisie's Magical Christmas House"!
Sticking out like a sore thumb on the corner of 97th Street & 144th Avenue (9619-144 Ave.), "Maisie's House" is like no other in the city, sparkling with gleaming light displays that could easily be spotted from an airplane miles above.
The front yard of the modest house is anything but modest, brimming with bells, candy canes, snowmen, and strings of multi-colour lights in the shape of Christmas trees. Reindeer stare up into the sky from the roof, windows are busied with neon, and the accompanying trees are drenched in snow and blinking beacons in holiday hues, all to the sounds of Yuletide carols.
Any and all are welcome to walk right up onto the home's front porch and take in the extravaganza free of cost, although a monetary or food donation will be gratefully accepted by the manor, on behalf of the Edmonton Food Bank.
The annual tradition was started back in 2004 by the late Maisie Dolynchuk, who passed away in September 2007, at the age of 82. Current homeowner Jerry Dolynchuk maintains the display in a joint venture with Marjorie Bencz, the Food Bank's executive director.
The $10,000 "house of lights" was officially christened "Maisie's Magical Christmas House" about a year after the cherished great-grandmother had succumb to complications from diabetes. "The house that Maisie loved so much will, at Christmas, become her legacy," reads the home page of the North End attraction's official website.
So Edmonton, stand up, step away from your computer and go warm up the car, and then head down to 97th St. & 144th Ave. to see it with your own eyes. And if you can, please bring a non-perishable food donation. The display runs right up until the first few days of January 2010.
Thanks Lisa for the hint. Thanks Maisie for your spirit!
e
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
EVERY holiday season Edmonton homes light up with Christmas glee. Some bare a strip of red or green lights across their eavesdrops. Others extend that single strip across the whole front frame of the house, and perhaps add an illuminated snowman or Santa Claus on the front lawn.
 |
| Making the rest of us look bad! |
Sticking out like a sore thumb on the corner of 97th Street & 144th Avenue (9619-144 Ave.), "Maisie's House" is like no other in the city, sparkling with gleaming light displays that could easily be spotted from an airplane miles above.
The front yard of the modest house is anything but modest, brimming with bells, candy canes, snowmen, and strings of multi-colour lights in the shape of Christmas trees. Reindeer stare up into the sky from the roof, windows are busied with neon, and the accompanying trees are drenched in snow and blinking beacons in holiday hues, all to the sounds of Yuletide carols.
Any and all are welcome to walk right up onto the home's front porch and take in the extravaganza free of cost, although a monetary or food donation will be gratefully accepted by the manor, on behalf of the Edmonton Food Bank.
The annual tradition was started back in 2004 by the late Maisie Dolynchuk, who passed away in September 2007, at the age of 82. Current homeowner Jerry Dolynchuk maintains the display in a joint venture with Marjorie Bencz, the Food Bank's executive director.
The $10,000 "house of lights" was officially christened "Maisie's Magical Christmas House" about a year after the cherished great-grandmother had succumb to complications from diabetes. "The house that Maisie loved so much will, at Christmas, become her legacy," reads the home page of the North End attraction's official website.
So Edmonton, stand up, step away from your computer and go warm up the car, and then head down to 97th St. & 144th Ave. to see it with your own eyes. And if you can, please bring a non-perishable food donation. The display runs right up until the first few days of January 2010.
Thanks Lisa for the hint. Thanks Maisie for your spirit!
e
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Christmas House
Although this residence is far from Candy Cane Lane, it borrows from its holiday spirit
AFTER trekking down the disappointing Candy Cane Lane last Sunday evening, I couldn't help but drive closer towards West Edmonton Mall to snap the photo below of a house that could easily put the Griswold's home to shame!
I've noticed it several times this holiday season, and remember it from years past, as one of the brightest chunks of land in all of Edmonton. The photo doesn't due the house--on the corner of 85th Ave. & 175th St.--justice, so try to make your way down to one of the city's most dressed up homes to see it in the flesh.
If you have any pictures of similar Edmonton homes, please submit them to I Heart Edmonton (emerx2@hotmail.com), or tell us about them instead and we'll head down their for ourselves. Merry Christmas Edmonton!
AFTER trekking down the disappointing Candy Cane Lane last Sunday evening, I couldn't help but drive closer towards West Edmonton Mall to snap the photo below of a house that could easily put the Griswold's home to shame!
I've noticed it several times this holiday season, and remember it from years past, as one of the brightest chunks of land in all of Edmonton. The photo doesn't due the house--on the corner of 85th Ave. & 175th St.--justice, so try to make your way down to one of the city's most dressed up homes to see it in the flesh.
If you have any pictures of similar Edmonton homes, please submit them to I Heart Edmonton (emerx2@hotmail.com), or tell us about them instead and we'll head down their for ourselves. Merry Christmas Edmonton!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Candy Cane Lame!
This holiday institution has great intentions, but lacks in what made it special in the first place
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
I FEEL bad for saying this, but that snippy title is no spelling mistake! Candy Cane Lane, as it is properly known, kinda sucked, failing to live up to my imaginations of glittering streetways, snowman colonies, and blinking lights you could see for blocks and blocks.
You see, at 30, this was the first time I can remember visiting the famous Edmonton strip (148th St., from 92nd to 100th Ave.), some ten blocks of houses dressed up for the holidays that doubles as a fundraiser for the Edmonton Food Bank, and has been for many years now.
But, as much as I want to, I can't lie. Last night, at about 2 km/hr., I drove past the 200 humble houses that make up Candy Cane Lane (Sunday, December 20th) and kept waiting for something to catch my eye, besides at least a half-dozen horse-drawn MP Stables clicking along the snowy street in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
The sidewalks were busy, but the houses weren't, lacking the charm I had anticipated. Many homes barely tried, others couldn't be bothered at all, but the lane still maintained a pretty steady flow of the Christmas spirit, and that's what this whole collective of homes is all about.
Shortly before culminating at the Saint Andrew's United Church on 99th Avenue, I noticed a group of big blue bins for food donations. Sitting at the foot of the passenger seat was my bag of groceries for the food bank. A jar of peanut butter, a box of pasta, and a couple of cans of peas. But the persistant traffic, messy road conditions and scarce parking never allowed the opportunity to actually drop off the groceries. No worries though, I'll be sure to drop off the donation at a local Safeway instead.
That will then balance out my poor review of the Lane (at least in my own head!), which is meant more as a family outing with the kids anyways. A sidewalk stroll would've been a more enjoyable experience, I'm sure. Maybe next time.
Now that the Scrooge part of me has had its say, let's talk some more about the good that comes out of the Edmonton Christmas staple.
First off, it's pretty damn impressive that about 80-85% of the homes down the 10-block lane are willing to participate in the annual 3-week Christmas tradition. The neighbourhood has, year after year, come together to decorate their houses and front yards--at their own expense--to help create a community of that aforementioned spirit, all in an effort to support one of the city's most important charities.
In recent years the Lane has collected about 30,000 pounds of food for the Edmonton Food Bank annually, donated by thousands of visitors over just a few weeks (December 12-January 2). In fact, it's one of the food bank's largest fundraisers each year.
Candy Cane Lane started more than 35 years ago by a select group of residents in the West End community of Crestwood, and still remains one of the prime examples of the charitable identity of our city. But it just wasn't for me. Fortunately, there are plenty of other opportunities to donate to our food bank all year-round.
For the rest of you, the Lane lights up every day at 5PM until midnight, and will continue up until Saturday, January 2, 2010. You can book a sleigh ride at the Lane's website.
PAINTING BY LOREN CHABOT
PHOTO BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
e
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
I FEEL bad for saying this, but that snippy title is no spelling mistake! Candy Cane Lane, as it is properly known, kinda sucked, failing to live up to my imaginations of glittering streetways, snowman colonies, and blinking lights you could see for blocks and blocks.You see, at 30, this was the first time I can remember visiting the famous Edmonton strip (148th St., from 92nd to 100th Ave.), some ten blocks of houses dressed up for the holidays that doubles as a fundraiser for the Edmonton Food Bank, and has been for many years now.
But, as much as I want to, I can't lie. Last night, at about 2 km/hr., I drove past the 200 humble houses that make up Candy Cane Lane (Sunday, December 20th) and kept waiting for something to catch my eye, besides at least a half-dozen horse-drawn MP Stables clicking along the snowy street in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
The sidewalks were busy, but the houses weren't, lacking the charm I had anticipated. Many homes barely tried, others couldn't be bothered at all, but the lane still maintained a pretty steady flow of the Christmas spirit, and that's what this whole collective of homes is all about.
Shortly before culminating at the Saint Andrew's United Church on 99th Avenue, I noticed a group of big blue bins for food donations. Sitting at the foot of the passenger seat was my bag of groceries for the food bank. A jar of peanut butter, a box of pasta, and a couple of cans of peas. But the persistant traffic, messy road conditions and scarce parking never allowed the opportunity to actually drop off the groceries. No worries though, I'll be sure to drop off the donation at a local Safeway instead.
That will then balance out my poor review of the Lane (at least in my own head!), which is meant more as a family outing with the kids anyways. A sidewalk stroll would've been a more enjoyable experience, I'm sure. Maybe next time.
Now that the Scrooge part of me has had its say, let's talk some more about the good that comes out of the Edmonton Christmas staple.
First off, it's pretty damn impressive that about 80-85% of the homes down the 10-block lane are willing to participate in the annual 3-week Christmas tradition. The neighbourhood has, year after year, come together to decorate their houses and front yards--at their own expense--to help create a community of that aforementioned spirit, all in an effort to support one of the city's most important charities.In recent years the Lane has collected about 30,000 pounds of food for the Edmonton Food Bank annually, donated by thousands of visitors over just a few weeks (December 12-January 2). In fact, it's one of the food bank's largest fundraisers each year.
Candy Cane Lane started more than 35 years ago by a select group of residents in the West End community of Crestwood, and still remains one of the prime examples of the charitable identity of our city. But it just wasn't for me. Fortunately, there are plenty of other opportunities to donate to our food bank all year-round.
For the rest of you, the Lane lights up every day at 5PM until midnight, and will continue up until Saturday, January 2, 2010. You can book a sleigh ride at the Lane's website.
PAINTING BY LOREN CHABOT
PHOTO BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
e
Sunday, December 20, 2009
'Controversial' AGA Announces Grand Opening Festivities
The Art Gallery of Alberta is just six weeks away from the big reveal, and is celebrating with numerous events
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
IT'S been a long four years since the Art Gallery of Alberta set out to find the right candidate to redesign its structure for the next generation of Alberta's art enthusiasts. And now, there remains just six weeks until we, the public, get to see the culmination of all those months of planning and construction...all $88 million worth of it!
The New AGA will hold its grand opening on Sunday, January 31, 2010, with free admission from 9AM to 9PM, and again on Monday, February 1st. Visitors will be welcomed in 30-minute intervals in order to avoid over-crowdings.
But before I go any further, let's take a look into how the new gallery came to be, shall we?
The competition to find the architect who would design what we currently see at 102nd Street and Jasper Avenue, was initiated back in '05. L.A.-based Randall Stout was selected to come up with a new blueprint for what was then the Edmonton Art Gallery, which first opened its doors way back in 1924.
This past September Stout and the AGA welcomed eager Edmontonians to the Winspear Centre to view the first images of the renovated gallery's interior, and to answer any questions they had on the reasoning behind the bold and unconventional design of the structure.
The 90-minute lecture lent us an inside look to Stout's motives and inspirations for his Aurora Borealis-themed project, one that earned controversy over its similarity to designs by Stout's former boss, Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry.
"I do not believe Frank has done anything like the singularity of the Borealis, where all the pieces pull together as a single-fluid surface," Stout told the Edmonton Journal. "Clearly there are influences but there are also differences."
Besides the Gehry connection, Stout has also had to defend his unusual idea for the AGA design from conservative and/or unimpressed locals who've all but written off the gallery as, for lack of a better term, "ugly."
"[The] discordant slab of ugly...looks like a stillborn sibling," condemned one local critic (Vue Weekly's Matthew Halliday), who seemed content in Edmonton's lack of urban growth compared to other Canadian cities. The New AGA has been cited as one of the city's ventures in designating Edmonton as a world-class cultural hub. What exactly is wrong with that?!
Hate it or love it, Stout's brazen design represents a shift in our city's urban identity, one that will hopefully put it on par with other adventurous metropolis'. We can only hope that this is just the beginning of an architectural revolution in the capital region that inspires innovation and ideas that run off the beaten path, as is the gallery itself.
Anyways, let's get back on track here and get into why you're even reading this in the first place...the big grand opening!
The weekend following the actual reopening of the AGA, on Saturday, February 6th (8PM), organizers are throwing a "late night art party" to celebrate the event. "Refinery," as it has been christened, will be themed around the "Edgar Degas: Figures in Motion" (above left) exhibit, which will include projects and performances by some of the top young artists in the province. Advance tickets for the 18+ party are $45 ($55 at the door).
"Qualico Family Day" has been allocated for Monday, February 15th, from 11AM to 5PM, and then the following Sunday the AGA will encourage families and young art enthusiasts to visit "HSBS All Day Sunday," from 1-4PM.
The 85,000-square foot AGA has also announced its recent partnership with the National Gallery of Canada, which means our new building will be presenting an ongoing series of National exhibitions. This marks the first Canadian gallery to establish such a relationship with the NGC, and the only one in the province.
The AGA's first exhibition in conjuction with its national counterpart will be "Franciso Goya: The Disasters of War and Los Caprichos" (right), which runs from January 31st until May 30th. You can read more about the showcase by clicking here.
In addition to Goya, other artists who will be spotlighted in the first months of the New AGA will include Edgar Degas, Janet Cardiff, George Bures Miller, and Canadian photographers Edward Burtynsky and Yousuf Karsh.
Alberta sculptor Ken Macklin will have his work showcased on the 3rd-floor outdoor sculpture terrace by the grand opening. There is also a brand new children's gallery, the BMO World of Creativity, that will focus on architectural themes for 2010.
To bring international art to Edmonton, the AGA has also partnered up with "Capital Powered Art," which will support at least ten Canadian and world exhibitions over the first three years. "This visionary, long-term commitment will allow the AGA to bring some of the world's best art to Alberta," bragged the gallery's new website.
The rejuvinated centre also includes a new 150-seat theatre, an Art Rental & Sales Gallery, an expanded Education Centre (for art classes and public programs), restaurant, cafè, espresso bar, gallery shop, and even a "floating" private lounge.
For anyone interested in attending the AGA's opening gala head to their official website and print off a free ticket. Once there you can also sign up to become an AGA Member or Ultra Member to recieve gallery updates and discounts on upcoming events.
Below is a video featuring the brand new AGA logo, courtesy of YouTube.
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
IT'S been a long four years since the Art Gallery of Alberta set out to find the right candidate to redesign its structure for the next generation of Alberta's art enthusiasts. And now, there remains just six weeks until we, the public, get to see the culmination of all those months of planning and construction...all $88 million worth of it!The New AGA will hold its grand opening on Sunday, January 31, 2010, with free admission from 9AM to 9PM, and again on Monday, February 1st. Visitors will be welcomed in 30-minute intervals in order to avoid over-crowdings.
But before I go any further, let's take a look into how the new gallery came to be, shall we?
The competition to find the architect who would design what we currently see at 102nd Street and Jasper Avenue, was initiated back in '05. L.A.-based Randall Stout was selected to come up with a new blueprint for what was then the Edmonton Art Gallery, which first opened its doors way back in 1924.
This past September Stout and the AGA welcomed eager Edmontonians to the Winspear Centre to view the first images of the renovated gallery's interior, and to answer any questions they had on the reasoning behind the bold and unconventional design of the structure.
The 90-minute lecture lent us an inside look to Stout's motives and inspirations for his Aurora Borealis-themed project, one that earned controversy over its similarity to designs by Stout's former boss, Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry.
"I do not believe Frank has done anything like the singularity of the Borealis, where all the pieces pull together as a single-fluid surface," Stout told the Edmonton Journal. "Clearly there are influences but there are also differences."
Besides the Gehry connection, Stout has also had to defend his unusual idea for the AGA design from conservative and/or unimpressed locals who've all but written off the gallery as, for lack of a better term, "ugly.""[The] discordant slab of ugly...looks like a stillborn sibling," condemned one local critic (Vue Weekly's Matthew Halliday), who seemed content in Edmonton's lack of urban growth compared to other Canadian cities. The New AGA has been cited as one of the city's ventures in designating Edmonton as a world-class cultural hub. What exactly is wrong with that?!
Hate it or love it, Stout's brazen design represents a shift in our city's urban identity, one that will hopefully put it on par with other adventurous metropolis'. We can only hope that this is just the beginning of an architectural revolution in the capital region that inspires innovation and ideas that run off the beaten path, as is the gallery itself.
Anyways, let's get back on track here and get into why you're even reading this in the first place...the big grand opening!
The weekend following the actual reopening of the AGA, on Saturday, February 6th (8PM), organizers are throwing a "late night art party" to celebrate the event. "Refinery," as it has been christened, will be themed around the "Edgar Degas: Figures in Motion" (above left) exhibit, which will include projects and performances by some of the top young artists in the province. Advance tickets for the 18+ party are $45 ($55 at the door).
"Qualico Family Day" has been allocated for Monday, February 15th, from 11AM to 5PM, and then the following Sunday the AGA will encourage families and young art enthusiasts to visit "HSBS All Day Sunday," from 1-4PM.
The 85,000-square foot AGA has also announced its recent partnership with the National Gallery of Canada, which means our new building will be presenting an ongoing series of National exhibitions. This marks the first Canadian gallery to establish such a relationship with the NGC, and the only one in the province.The AGA's first exhibition in conjuction with its national counterpart will be "Franciso Goya: The Disasters of War and Los Caprichos" (right), which runs from January 31st until May 30th. You can read more about the showcase by clicking here.
In addition to Goya, other artists who will be spotlighted in the first months of the New AGA will include Edgar Degas, Janet Cardiff, George Bures Miller, and Canadian photographers Edward Burtynsky and Yousuf Karsh.
Alberta sculptor Ken Macklin will have his work showcased on the 3rd-floor outdoor sculpture terrace by the grand opening. There is also a brand new children's gallery, the BMO World of Creativity, that will focus on architectural themes for 2010.
To bring international art to Edmonton, the AGA has also partnered up with "Capital Powered Art," which will support at least ten Canadian and world exhibitions over the first three years. "This visionary, long-term commitment will allow the AGA to bring some of the world's best art to Alberta," bragged the gallery's new website.
The rejuvinated centre also includes a new 150-seat theatre, an Art Rental & Sales Gallery, an expanded Education Centre (for art classes and public programs), restaurant, cafè, espresso bar, gallery shop, and even a "floating" private lounge.
For anyone interested in attending the AGA's opening gala head to their official website and print off a free ticket. Once there you can also sign up to become an AGA Member or Ultra Member to recieve gallery updates and discounts on upcoming events.
Below is a video featuring the brand new AGA logo, courtesy of YouTube.
EDPoster #1
Holidays In Dub @ The Pawn Shop
What: Holidays In Dub
When: Wednesday, December 23rd @ 9PM
Where: Pawn Shop (10551-82 Ave./780-432-5058)
How Much: $5 cover
What: Holidays In Dub
When: Wednesday, December 23rd @ 9PM
Where: Pawn Shop (10551-82 Ave./780-432-5058)
How Much: $5 cover
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Doc Soup Series Hits Edmonton
Mexican prison drama is latest in 6-part film series that will spotlight world-class docs over at the Metro
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
IN conjunction with Edmonton's Global Visions Film Festival and the Toronto-based Hot Docs, Edmonton has welcomed the acclaimed Doc Soup film series. Already a fixture in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, Doc Soup is a monthly documentary film series that "exposes audiences to compelling, real-life stories from across Canada and around the world, along with opportunities to engage in discussion with guest directors."
Metro Cinema, in Citadel Theatre's Zeidler Hall (9829-101A Ave.), will host these award-winning features on the first Thursday of every month, up until May 2010. The next screening will be Roberto Hernandez and Georffrey Smith's Presumed Guilty, on Thursday, January 7, 2010 @ 7:00PM.
The 1-1/2-hour subtitled docu film follows a pair of attorneys from Mexico who are attempting to exonerate Jose Antonio Zuniga, a young man who was wrongly accused of murder in December 2005. Based on the shaky testimony of a single eyewitness--and not much else--a judge, who hadn't even heard Zuniga speak, sentenced him to twenty years in Distrito Federal Prison in Mexico City.
The Mexican lawyers became unlikely filmmakers, working alongside Zuniga's friends and family to make a movie that told the despairing story of this innocent prisoner and the flawed justice system of a whole nation that presumes guilt rather than innocence.
Individual tickets to see each monthly feature are just $10, and are available at the doors of Metro Cinema. If you've just heard of Edmonton's Doc Soup series you've probably missed the first screening (65_RedRoses on December 3rd), but there's still five films to come in the series, which will be announced in the coming months.
As suggested earlier, director Hernandez will be in attendance at Metro Cinema to answer any questions the audience might have after the film has screened. As for the Global Visions Film Festival, it will make the rounds in our city in November 2010. Check out Presumed Guilty's trailer below, courtesy of YouTube.
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
IN conjunction with Edmonton's Global Visions Film Festival and the Toronto-based Hot Docs, Edmonton has welcomed the acclaimed Doc Soup film series. Already a fixture in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, Doc Soup is a monthly documentary film series that "exposes audiences to compelling, real-life stories from across Canada and around the world, along with opportunities to engage in discussion with guest directors."Metro Cinema, in Citadel Theatre's Zeidler Hall (9829-101A Ave.), will host these award-winning features on the first Thursday of every month, up until May 2010. The next screening will be Roberto Hernandez and Georffrey Smith's Presumed Guilty, on Thursday, January 7, 2010 @ 7:00PM.
The 1-1/2-hour subtitled docu film follows a pair of attorneys from Mexico who are attempting to exonerate Jose Antonio Zuniga, a young man who was wrongly accused of murder in December 2005. Based on the shaky testimony of a single eyewitness--and not much else--a judge, who hadn't even heard Zuniga speak, sentenced him to twenty years in Distrito Federal Prison in Mexico City.The Mexican lawyers became unlikely filmmakers, working alongside Zuniga's friends and family to make a movie that told the despairing story of this innocent prisoner and the flawed justice system of a whole nation that presumes guilt rather than innocence.
Individual tickets to see each monthly feature are just $10, and are available at the doors of Metro Cinema. If you've just heard of Edmonton's Doc Soup series you've probably missed the first screening (65_RedRoses on December 3rd), but there's still five films to come in the series, which will be announced in the coming months.
As suggested earlier, director Hernandez will be in attendance at Metro Cinema to answer any questions the audience might have after the film has screened. As for the Global Visions Film Festival, it will make the rounds in our city in November 2010. Check out Presumed Guilty's trailer below, courtesy of YouTube.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Weekend 10 (Dec. 18th-20th)
Let 'I Heart Edmonton' guide you through the upcoming weekend
WELL Edmonton, it's Thursday, which means that a new weekend is just around the corner! For those of you who work for the weekend you might want to listen up...or read on, in this case. Here's some of the things that are going on this upcoming weekend (December 18th-20th):
-Not in the Christmas spirit yet? Maybe the Jubilee could help you out with that, as they are welcoming the return of "The Singing Christmas Tree" from December 18th to the 20th (7PM Fri/ 4PM & 7PM Sat/ 4PM Sun). This will be the 40th annual "Singing Tree" concert and the first since 2005. Tickets are at Ticketmaster (780-8000).
-Montreal-born musical comedian and Internet celeb Jon Lajoie ("Everyday Normal Guy") will perform two shows this Friday (December 18th) at the Myer Horowitz Theatre (8900-114 St.). The first show will start at 7:30PM, followed by a second at 10:15PM. Call 780-492-4236 for more information.
-"Bridget Ryan's Big Ol' Christmas Cabaret" comes to an end this weekend (December 10th-20th) at the Catalyst Theatre (8529-Gateway Blvd.). The evening will include show tunes, stories and special guests, in conjunction with local artist Jason Carter's art series "Nanabozho: The Tail of Giving." Call Tix on the Square at 780-420-1757. Tickets are $15-$20.
-Mayor Stephen Mandel will be a guest star at the Roxy Theatre's production of "Mostly Water Theatre Christmas Variety Show," by an Edmonton-based sketch comedy group. The show starts at 8PM on Saturday, December 19th, and runs again in April and May. Tickets are $21 each.
-Designed for children aged 6-12, "Much More Munsch" will be exhibited at the Royal Alberta Museum every day this weekend, and until April 6, 2010. The interactive and bilingual exhibition showcases the work of Canadian children's writer Robert Munsch, and promotes creativity and a love of reading. Call 780-453-9100.
-Alt-rockers AFI and Cage the Elephant will perform as part of "Jingle Bell Rock" at the Shaw Conference Centre (9797-Jasper Ave.) on Friday, December 18th (7PM). AFI will be hosting an autograph session today from 6PM to 9PM at West 49 in West Edmonton Mall.
-The Washington Capitals are in Edmonton this Saturday (December 19th) to play the Oilers over at Rexall Place. The puck drops at 8PM. The game is on CBC, so there's always the option of watching it at a local pub instead.
-Dedfest presents a night at the movies on Friday, December 18th (9PM), with Silent Night, Deadly Night and the short Treevenge! The films will screen at Metro Cinema at the Citadel Theatre (9828-101A Ave.) for just $10 per person. Must be 18 or older.
-L.A.-based electronic music duo Classixxx will perform as part of the "Kitsune Records X-mas Party" at New City (Suburbs) on Friday, December 18th (9PM). The venue will also host "Pop Echo's 5th Birthday Party" (at the Lounge) on the same night ($5 cover), featuring Outdoor Miners, Heat-Ray, and Jazz.
-The Jubilations Dinner Theatre (8882-170 St.) at West Edmonton Mall is currently running "Luck Be a Lady," a tribute to the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and other legendary Vegas entertainers. The show runs until January 23rd, 2010.
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WELL Edmonton, it's Thursday, which means that a new weekend is just around the corner! For those of you who work for the weekend you might want to listen up...or read on, in this case. Here's some of the things that are going on this upcoming weekend (December 18th-20th):
-Not in the Christmas spirit yet? Maybe the Jubilee could help you out with that, as they are welcoming the return of "The Singing Christmas Tree" from December 18th to the 20th (7PM Fri/ 4PM & 7PM Sat/ 4PM Sun). This will be the 40th annual "Singing Tree" concert and the first since 2005. Tickets are at Ticketmaster (780-8000).-Montreal-born musical comedian and Internet celeb Jon Lajoie ("Everyday Normal Guy") will perform two shows this Friday (December 18th) at the Myer Horowitz Theatre (8900-114 St.). The first show will start at 7:30PM, followed by a second at 10:15PM. Call 780-492-4236 for more information.
-"Bridget Ryan's Big Ol' Christmas Cabaret" comes to an end this weekend (December 10th-20th) at the Catalyst Theatre (8529-Gateway Blvd.). The evening will include show tunes, stories and special guests, in conjunction with local artist Jason Carter's art series "Nanabozho: The Tail of Giving." Call Tix on the Square at 780-420-1757. Tickets are $15-$20.
-Mayor Stephen Mandel will be a guest star at the Roxy Theatre's production of "Mostly Water Theatre Christmas Variety Show," by an Edmonton-based sketch comedy group. The show starts at 8PM on Saturday, December 19th, and runs again in April and May. Tickets are $21 each.
-Designed for children aged 6-12, "Much More Munsch" will be exhibited at the Royal Alberta Museum every day this weekend, and until April 6, 2010. The interactive and bilingual exhibition showcases the work of Canadian children's writer Robert Munsch, and promotes creativity and a love of reading. Call 780-453-9100.
-Alt-rockers AFI and Cage the Elephant will perform as part of "Jingle Bell Rock" at the Shaw Conference Centre (9797-Jasper Ave.) on Friday, December 18th (7PM). AFI will be hosting an autograph session today from 6PM to 9PM at West 49 in West Edmonton Mall.-The Washington Capitals are in Edmonton this Saturday (December 19th) to play the Oilers over at Rexall Place. The puck drops at 8PM. The game is on CBC, so there's always the option of watching it at a local pub instead.
-Dedfest presents a night at the movies on Friday, December 18th (9PM), with Silent Night, Deadly Night and the short Treevenge! The films will screen at Metro Cinema at the Citadel Theatre (9828-101A Ave.) for just $10 per person. Must be 18 or older.
-L.A.-based electronic music duo Classixxx will perform as part of the "Kitsune Records X-mas Party" at New City (Suburbs) on Friday, December 18th (9PM). The venue will also host "Pop Echo's 5th Birthday Party" (at the Lounge) on the same night ($5 cover), featuring Outdoor Miners, Heat-Ray, and Jazz.
-The Jubilations Dinner Theatre (8882-170 St.) at West Edmonton Mall is currently running "Luck Be a Lady," a tribute to the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and other legendary Vegas entertainers. The show runs until January 23rd, 2010.
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Edmonton's Nightlife Is In North American Spotlight
Alberta's capital region has won Sociable City Award for providing a safe and active nightlife that's the envy of the rest of the continent
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
WELL, it's official! The RHI (Responsible Hospitality Institute) has confirmed what I Heart has been preaching all along...that Edmonton is the most "sociable city" on the continent!
The distinction took various critieria into account before it was cast upon our deserving city, which is now recognized for providing the most vibrant and safe nightlife in North America.
But the RHI awarded E-town with the honour based on more than just our nightlife, also citing our partnerships between businesses and government, innovative marketing campaigns, proactive compliance education & training, public space entertainment, multi-cultural activities, and serveral city services, such as the Public Safety Compliance Team.
13 of Edmonton's entertainment districts--including Whyte Avenue, 124th Street, West Edmonton Mall and downtown--were acknowledged for their above-average standards, compared to other North American cities in areas like economic development, safety, revitalization, and support community development.
"We're honoured for the recognition and proud to work closely with our many partners in the industry, community and government," said Responsible Hospitality Edmonton Project Coordinator Angela Turner. "Our work through RHE definitely contributes to Edmonton's renowned high quality of life."
"I think it says there are some really good things happening, really innovative things we can share with other cities."
Edmonton was the only Canadian city in the RHI's Top 10 list, which was rounded out by nine U.S. metros, including Pittsburgh, Seattle, West Palm Beach, San Jose and Long Beach.
"The cities that received awards are outstanding models for planning and managing nightlife," commented RHI president Jim Peters. "Their city leaders are at the forefront of innovation for harnessing dining and entertainment as an economic engine to drive revitalization and increase city funds."
Although many Edmontonians are unaware of the city's leadership in these areas, other major regions have taken notice. In fact, Edmonton's Responsible Hospitality division has been invited to reveal its secrets on maintaining its healthy nightlife to American cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh, and even New York.
"I think it says there are some really good things happening, really innovative things we can share with other cities," said Shirley Lowe, the executive director of the Old Strathcona Business Association. "There are a lot of people who care about their city, and who are engaged in creating a city people want to live in."
There are numerous areas throughout the city that have recently or are currently going through a rejuvenation period, including Fort Road, Alberta Avenue, 104th Street, and the Alberta Legislature grounds.
Mayor Stephen Mandel presented the Sociable City Award this morning (December 16th) at City Hall's Council Chambers.
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BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
WELL, it's official! The RHI (Responsible Hospitality Institute) has confirmed what I Heart has been preaching all along...that Edmonton is the most "sociable city" on the continent!The distinction took various critieria into account before it was cast upon our deserving city, which is now recognized for providing the most vibrant and safe nightlife in North America.
But the RHI awarded E-town with the honour based on more than just our nightlife, also citing our partnerships between businesses and government, innovative marketing campaigns, proactive compliance education & training, public space entertainment, multi-cultural activities, and serveral city services, such as the Public Safety Compliance Team.
13 of Edmonton's entertainment districts--including Whyte Avenue, 124th Street, West Edmonton Mall and downtown--were acknowledged for their above-average standards, compared to other North American cities in areas like economic development, safety, revitalization, and support community development.
"We're honoured for the recognition and proud to work closely with our many partners in the industry, community and government," said Responsible Hospitality Edmonton Project Coordinator Angela Turner. "Our work through RHE definitely contributes to Edmonton's renowned high quality of life."
"I think it says there are some really good things happening, really innovative things we can share with other cities."
Edmonton was the only Canadian city in the RHI's Top 10 list, which was rounded out by nine U.S. metros, including Pittsburgh, Seattle, West Palm Beach, San Jose and Long Beach.
"The cities that received awards are outstanding models for planning and managing nightlife," commented RHI president Jim Peters. "Their city leaders are at the forefront of innovation for harnessing dining and entertainment as an economic engine to drive revitalization and increase city funds."
Although many Edmontonians are unaware of the city's leadership in these areas, other major regions have taken notice. In fact, Edmonton's Responsible Hospitality division has been invited to reveal its secrets on maintaining its healthy nightlife to American cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh, and even New York."I think it says there are some really good things happening, really innovative things we can share with other cities," said Shirley Lowe, the executive director of the Old Strathcona Business Association. "There are a lot of people who care about their city, and who are engaged in creating a city people want to live in."
There are numerous areas throughout the city that have recently or are currently going through a rejuvenation period, including Fort Road, Alberta Avenue, 104th Street, and the Alberta Legislature grounds.
Mayor Stephen Mandel presented the Sociable City Award this morning (December 16th) at City Hall's Council Chambers.
e
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